Oakleaf safety Darrion Owens pledges to Miami

Saturday

Oakleaf safety Darrion Owens became the first major college commitment in Knights' history when he verbally committed to Miami on Saturday.

Owens, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound senior, is a three-star recruit by Rivals. Coach Derek Chipoletti said that Owens picked the Hurricanes over Auburn, Georgia, Michigan and Ohio State.

Owens, a second-team All-First Coast selection last year, had 101 total tackles, six pass breakups and a pair of interceptions for the 6-4 Knights.

Miami rarely recruits the First Coast area, signing just six players with local ties since 1999. When the Hurricanes do make it in to the area, it has typically gone the defensive route. The Hurricanes signed Jackson safety Carl Walker in 2000, and also St. Augustine High safety Willie Cooper in 2003, two of the more recent Miami defensive secondary signings.

Columbia has sent three players to Miami since 1999 -- defensive tackle Dequan Ivery (2012), receiver-defensive back Rashaun Jones (2004) and defensive back George Timmons (2003).